Plato's Apology

In a sea of Greek philosophers, Plato stood as the most influential and profound thinker of the classic period, and his theories are still very relevant within today’s society. Plato was a well-established man, he was a teacher, scientist, mathematician. Though he was rejoiced by many, like all great leaders, he attracted a few enemies. Those who did not care for his teachings, questioned his motives and often thought he possessed ill- intentions in which they perceived as detrimental to their quaint society. One of his most significant pieces entitled, the Apology, was written by Plato as he narrates the case of Socrates, whose ideological views he completely agrees. The Apology showcases the conversion of his ideological views as he develops

His unintentional leadership of his new wave of knowledge and exposure to the true nature of man, led to his conviction of corrupting of the youth. After his unlawful conviction, he views the law of Athens as being unjustifiable and corrupt, and he alludes that their response to the actions of exposing the truths, further uncovers their ignorance. To have a valid understanding the meaning of the Apology, one must evaluate the story as an entirety.
When Socrates is first informed that he is the wisest man in all of Athens, he questions the authenticity of wisdom. His disbelief in the Said statement, moves him to conduct a study through questioning those within the city of Athens who were deemed wise. In his quest to unveil true wisdom, he questions poets, aristocrats, and those of a higher economic status.
After gathering the needed information to conclude his study, he is then exposes the true meaning of wisdom which indicates that neither member of the Athenian society possess this true meaning. A man who is wise, is a man who has attained intellect, but realizes that there is more knowledge which needs to be attained. In other words, a truly wise person, is on a constant path of furthering his or her knowledge about the world around

How could he then maintain his teachings that goodness, justice, institutions, and laws are of the highest value to civilized people? His only option would be to live the life of a vagabond or runaway in some lawless part of Greece, where at best, he might have some laughs at the ridiculous lengths to which he had to go to escape Athens and civilization. All this would also show an unseemly greediness, clinging to life at such an old age.
Socrates then address his concerns with other points brought up by Crito, the unjustifiable act of escaping into excel. Firstly, he addresses the benefits of the laws that structure Athens. They have allowed him to speak his mind ad state his opinion, until it defied or came in conflict with the societal norms and ideology. These laws have given him birth, have raised him and educated him, and have shared the wealth of Athens with him and his fellow citizens. He wouldn’t have been who he was if these laws were absent.